Graal – Chapter IVAnd along comes a CD that reminds me why I love checking out new bands! Sure this is a metal site and one could argue that this CD here is not metal, but its roots are very much the same roots that brought metal upon our land. Hailing from Italy and though this is called Chapter IV, it is unfortunately my first experience with the band. They have three other albums out there (hence the obvious moniker here), and I am planning on tracking them down. What we have here is a very creative twist on an old sound. Very proto metal with lots of 70’s vibe and vigor, most notably the Deep Purple/UFO sound with hints of an early Maiden and even some proggier Rushisms in the mixture (and a nod to Pink Floyd as well). A bit of it occasionally strays a bit too far out for my personal liking but there is no denying that this band is definitely living up to their influences and maybe even adding a little extra twist here and there in the process. Overall this CD does a great job of taking me back in time to youthful daze!Choice Tracks – Pick Up All The Faults, Shadow Play, Guardian Devil, Last Hold, Little Song(8.5)